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Old 07-05-11, 01:24 PM
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all these technologically advanced features and they forgot about the most basic requirement for cycling-specific pants...flat seams and/or gusseted crotch. I won't even get into the lack of sizing for real-world commuting...and commuters - the majority of which ain't skinny lil hipster kids.

I give this one 2 peckers down.
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Old 07-05-11, 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by PaulRivers
Though I have the same problem as other posters - I don't fit into "skinny" jeans because I actually have thighs (and biking doesn't make them smaller, lol).
6'6" and 26.5" quads, here. Finding pants can be a bit of a challenge, but my list so far with jeans is
- Urban Pipeline relaxed fit. They're pretty much skater kid baggies, and it's doubtful that even a powerlifter could fill them out entirely. ~ $25.00
- Levi's 550 relaxed straight. Not too baggy, not too expensive. ~ $30.00
- Levi's 505 regular fit. Check 'em first, since they're a little bit on the slim side. Same cost as above.
- Lucky Brand 181 relaxed straight. Fits like the Levi's 550, more comfortable for riding, mid-rise waist. $50 if you catch a sale. $100+ if not (and while they're comfy, they're not that great)
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Old 07-05-11, 01:56 PM
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Hey - thanks for the suggestions on the jeans, I'll definitely check some of those out. Jeans always seem to fall into one of two categories for me - either they're baggy enough for the legs but they're not nearly tight enough at the waist (and they make me look a bit like I'm covering up really fat legs), or they slam my thighs in there like there's not escape lol.
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Old 07-05-11, 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by RNDM
I ride in jeans in the winter all the time. I never understand why people think it so uncomfortable. You might have to break them in if they are new, but they wouldn't be comfortable if you weren't riding bike if they are new. In the summer I ride in Chinos because it is hot and they are lighter. I don't wear a kit because I am commuting and am not in a race. I never can understand people in full kits doing what I would classify as "putting around." In my mind it is like going to the playground to play touch football with helmet, shoulder pads, mouth piece, custom jersey. In a nut shell uncalled for. I try to dress for the occasion.
Yeah, I find them oddly pretty good as long as it's not hot - anything between below freezing (where I were wool) and about 70 degrees they've always worked great. It's nice to arrive at your destination and not have to change pants to, lol.
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Old 07-05-11, 05:02 PM
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Here we go again. Most threads will give you folks that say not to use them. Most jeans are not designed to flex in the crotch. Buy some jeans with a diamond gusset in the crotch. I have jeans from two different companies and both have different good features. www.duluthtrading.com www.gussetjeans.com Diamondgusset has jeans with kevlar for motorcycling or regular jeans. Either company makes a good product. I have some of both. I also have a pair with the kevlar for motorcycle use. Duluth trading catalog has a bit of humor in it. Good luck in your search. I enjoy the jeans for colder weather. Duluth Trading also has lots of coomax items. Shirts, socks, bandannas, and more.

Last edited by Blues Frog; 07-05-11 at 05:07 PM.
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Old 07-05-11, 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by chipcom
I give this one 2 peckers down.
Just out of curiosity, what would it take to get 1 up?
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Old 07-05-11, 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Blues Frog
Here we go again. Most threads will give you folks that say not to use them. Most jeans are not designed to flex in the crotch. Buy some jeans with a diamond gusset in the crotch. I have jeans from two different companies and both have different good features. www.duluthtrading.com www.gussetjeans.com Diamondgusset has jeans with kevlar for motorcycling or regular jeans. Either company makes a good product. I have some of both. I also have a pair with the kevlar for motorcycle use. Duluth trading catalog has a bit of humor in it. Good luck in your search. I enjoy the jeans for colder weather. Duluth Trading also has lots of coomax items. Shirts, socks, bandannas, and more.
The Duluth jeans do have a crotch even chip could love, but the firehose jeans they sell are pretty slippery on my Brooks saddle. They're great of r motorcycling, but I prefer the generic jeans I got from Costco or Kohls for bicycling.
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Old 07-05-11, 08:14 PM
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I remember some Lycra shorts, printed to look like pumice washed Denim shorts..
pockets were just the image of pockets.

as was the rivets, just a picture .

after I stopped wearing Levis, the hair on my legs began to recover.
and I had some..

I just buy sweat pants any more.. a nylon smooth face, polyester fleece back,
compound knit fabric looks OK.

Its the jersey knit that gives when you move ,
as opposed to denim woven canvas that wont.

Last edited by fietsbob; 01-09-14 at 11:38 AM.
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Old 07-05-11, 08:43 PM
  #34  
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I'd consider them for commuting in the colder months. Maybe for half that price though.
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Old 12-17-11, 09:44 PM
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Don't mean to bump in any way.

Of the three pairs of jeans that I own, they've all accumulated grease-stains because they're a little on the baggier side before I cycled daily to school.

Any preference between cuts? Straight, Slim Straight?
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Old 12-17-11, 10:23 PM
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Jeans work for me in the winter when I don't go to far. I do find them not so comfy. My all time favorite pants for riding in any weather are the Arborwear Tech pants I wear for work. They soften up quite a bit after a few washings & they have plenty of room for fleece sweats underneath for when it gets real cold. At least all the ones I have do. They also are very slick against my Brooks saddle. No hot spots. They also dry out very fast after being soaked from rain or what ever.

A bit pricey at 65-75 dollars. But a single pair of tech pants will outlast 4-5 pairs of any jeans easily. Arborist by trade {tree monkey with a saw** I have gained a pretty good knowledge of what durable clothing & outer wear is. I love them.......No, I am not affiliated with Arborwear in any way.....Jeff

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Old 12-17-11, 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Titmawz
when the temp drops I ride in "skinny" jeans and its great =)
Yea, definitely. I used to try avoiding riding long distances in my skinny jeans, but due to a lack of appropriate clothing for the cold, I've had to wear my skinny jeans and they work pretty damn good. I might buy a pair of Levi's new commuter jeans, costs only slightly more.
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Old 12-18-11, 01:59 AM
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Originally Posted by SurlyLaika
Yea, definitely. I used to try avoiding riding long distances in my skinny jeans, but due to a lack of appropriate clothing for the cold, I've had to wear my skinny jeans and they work pretty damn good. I might buy a pair of Levi's new commuter jeans, costs only slightly more.
While not cheap, I recommend these https://swrve.myshopify.com/products/...inny-fit-jeans I wear my pair as my everyday jeans and have done two 15+ mile rides in them when it's been cold out. They are designed for cycling and made from a special denim that is resistant to wear.
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Old 12-18-11, 04:47 AM
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Well, this will be wait and see for me. It just so happens that my EVERYDAY REGULAR DRESS has always been Levi 501s, Wrangler 936, and lately Wrangler 20X slim. The Levi are 31w/36L and the Wranglers 30w/38l, always with cowboy boots too, I never wear shoes. As much as I love jeans, don't know it they would work for my commute. I keep jeans and boots at work, but I never wore a pair on the bike. I carried a fresh pair for change sometimes in my backpack.

BTW, I have about about 125-150 pair of jeans!!
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Old 12-18-11, 12:44 PM
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actual bike use reveiw

https://www.mountainbiketales.com/reviews/levis_0611.htm
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Old 12-18-11, 04:32 PM
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I usually ride in Duluth firehose shorts. They work really nicely on my WTB MTB saddle (I don't use road bike thin saddles on any bike). When I ride in jeans I usually just ride in my Wranglers so I don't kill a nice pair of jeans ($13 at KMart, how can you loose?).
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Old 12-20-11, 03:53 PM
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I ride short distances in jeans often. They would not be my choice for a long ride. I'm not sure how long would be too long. Cotton in general is a unpleasant if it gets wet, especially if the temperature is anything cooler than "pretty warm".
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Old 12-20-11, 04:28 PM
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Looking forward to it... but I can only use something that warm during winter in California... bleh.
Honestly, this things are not that expensive compared to decent cycling specific clothings.
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Old 12-20-11, 04:45 PM
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Skinny anything and me don't go together . ..
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Old 12-20-11, 05:44 PM
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Jeans work just fine I rode 50 miles a few weeks ago in a pair no problem. I'm not sure why riding a bike has become such a production! I think it turns people off to cycling the more ridiculous we all look.
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Old 12-20-11, 05:53 PM
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While I find skinny jeans really uncomfortable to cycle more than short distances in, I would *love* - love - to not have that be the case, it would be *so* much easier for bike transportation. I think I might just buy a pair of the SWRVE jeans with a small amount of spandex and articulated knees just to try them, apparently they come in regular fit not just trim fit -

https://swrve.myshopify.com/products/...trim-fit-jeans

Question is - has anyone heard of them being available at any sort of local retailer where one might try them out?
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Old 12-20-11, 06:19 PM
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Originally Posted by PaulRivers
While I find skinny jeans really uncomfortable to cycle more than short distances in, I would *love* - love - to not have that be the case, it would be *so* much easier for bike transportation. I think I might just buy a pair of the SWRVE jeans with a small amount of spandex and articulated knees just to try them, apparently they come in regular fit not just trim fit -

https://swrve.myshopify.com/products/...trim-fit-jeans

Question is - has anyone heard of them being available at any sort of local retailer where one might try them out?
you should hit them up on Twitter(or e-mail them), @swrve and ask if they know of any retailers in MN that might have them for you. . I've had good experience with them and are friendly folk when I met them to pick up my clothes one time. I might opt for the CORDURA ones for the increased wear resistance.https://swrve.myshopify.com/products/...trim-fit-jeans I'm actually wearing a pair of the skinny ones right now.
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Old 12-20-11, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by RNDM
I ride in jeans in the winter all the time. I never understand why people think it so uncomfortable. You might have to break them in if they are new, but they wouldn't be comfortable if you weren't riding bike if they are new. In the summer I ride in Chinos because it is hot and they are lighter. I don't wear a kit because I am commuting and am not in a race. I never can understand people in full kits doing what I would classify as "putting around." In my mind it is like going to the playground to play touch football with helmet, shoulder pads, mouth piece, custom jersey. In a nut shell uncalled for. I try to dress for the occasion.

well put .... im in the same boat ... i can understand wearing a baselayer, thermal layer and shell jacket ... but the tights and all ... way too overkill for just commuting to work in my book ...but my commute is only 3 miles ... to each is own
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Old 12-20-11, 07:19 PM
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I have a pair. They are better then normal jeans for riding. Not as good as some other fabrics but I have put plenty of miles on them comfortably. Oh, and I don't know what everyone cosidersm"skinny" jeans but they are really not like hipster skinny jeans. You might be surprised. And at 78$ they are kinda in the middle of the price point for jeans.
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Old 12-26-11, 09:19 PM
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+1 to all of what uvbears said. Excellent for fall and first half of the winter in the PNW. Drizzle is no problem on my short trips. They dry off very quickly. Just bought a 2nd pair at half-price on a Boxing Day sale at a Levi's store. They are probably too warm when it gets to the mid-60s.
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